Shadows in a Silent Town: Book One: A Keilani Germora Mystery

By Brandy Magill

**Shadows Lurk in Every Corner of Willow Creek, But Only One Casts Death.**

 

Keilani Germora, a retired CIA agent turned private detective, is far from your ordinary sleuth. A striking blend of Filipino and Irish heritage, she's as stunning as she is savvy—and she's about to face the most perplexing case of her career.

 

When an old friend pleads for her help to solve a series of brutal murders shaking the quiet town of Willow Creek, Keilani can't refuse. But what appears to be a straightforward investigation soon spirals into a web of lies, secrets, and ancient rituals.

 

**Unraveling the Mystery Isn't Just Professional—It's Personal**

While local law enforcement remains stumped, Keilani dives into the heart of the mystery. Unveiling the mask of a community filled with quaint traditions and unspoken rules, she finds that the killer is closer than she thought, hiding in plain sight. And as she pieces together the clues, Keilani realizes the town's dark history is intertwined with her own in ways she never imagined.

 

**A Cult, a Talisman, and Unseen Forces**

With the help of Alex, a local journalist, and guided by a series of cryptic messages from an unexpected ally, Keilani plunges deeper into the shadows. The talisman—an artifact of unspeakable power—becomes the focal point of a cult, driving the town into a frenzy of paranoia and violence.

 

**The Ultimate Revelation**

Just when she thinks she has the killer cornered, a twist of fate reveals the puppeteer pulling the strings. Facing a shocking betrayal and a plot far more elaborate than she'd feared, Keilani makes a chilling discovery that changes her life forever. 

 

**It's a Race Against Time in This Pulse-Pounding Mystery**

Packed with intense action, intricate plot twists, and a sprinkling of romance, "Shadows in a Silent Town: A Keilani Germora Mystery" is a heart-stopping thriller that will keep you at the edge of your seat until the final revelation.

 

Will Keilani solve the mystery before it's too late? Grab your copy now to delve into this mind-bending journey!
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brandy Magill
• Release date: Aug 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223261407

Book preview

Chapter One - The Phone Call

Keilani Germora sat in her sparse office, the dim glow of the table lamp flickering across her desk filled with case files, newspaper clippings, and a half-empty cup of cold coffee. Her hazel eyes, a unique blend of her Filipina and Irish heritage, flicked across the computer screen, scanning through the endless emails begging for her expertise.

She missed the CIA, sometimes—the structure, the resources, the adrenaline. But life as a private investigator had its own rewards. For one, she could work in her jeans and a T-shirt, her dark hair pulled back in a casual bun, and no one would bat an eye.

Her phone buzzed, diverting her attention from the screen. It was an unknown number. She considered ignoring it but something stopped her—call it instinct.

Keilani Germora speaking, she said, picking up the phone.

Keilani, it's Ben. Ben Michelson. From Langley? I need your help.

Ben Michelson was not just someone from Langley; he was an old friend and former colleague. His tone alone was enough to tell her that this was not a social call.

What's wrong, Ben? You sound like you've seen a ghost.

Maybe I have, he replied grimly. Listen, I wouldn't be calling if it wasn't urgent. There's a situation here in Willow Creek. Murders. Plural. And they’re nasty, Kei. The local PD is stumped. I immediately thought of you.

Willow Creek? Sounds like a quaint place to have a murder spree, she quipped, but her tone belied the gravity she felt.

It's a small town with big secrets. Secrets that someone seems willing to kill for. I've already arranged for you to consult with the local PD. They're expecting you tomorrow.

Tomorrow? You're kidding, right? I have cases, Ben, clients.

You’ll want to take this one, Kei. Trust me. It has aspects that are... well, right up your alley.

The room suddenly felt colder. What’s the catch?

The catch is that you may be the only one smart and resourceful enough to solve this before more people die.

The words hung in the air. Keilani pondered for a moment, then sighed.

Alright, Ben. Send me the details. I'll drive down first thing tomorrow.

Thank you, Kei. I owe you one.

You owe me more than one, but who's counting? she said, ending the call.

As she hung up, a sense of foreboding washed over her. She had dealt with murderers before, had looked evil in the eye and had not flinched. But something about Ben's voice told her that this case was different.

She opened her desk drawer, pulling out a photo of her family—her parents and her younger brother, all smiling. All gone now, victims of a world equally filled with beauty and malevolence. She promised herself long ago that she'd stand against the darkness.

And she would begin again in Willow Creek, a small town with a name as deceptive as its calm exterior. Unaware of the horrors that lay ahead, Keilani packed her bag with the essentials: her Glock 19, a compact forensic kit, her laptop, and a few sets of civilian clothes.

Tomorrow, she would step back into the world that had both made and unmade her, threading the narrow line between justice and vengeance.

As she switched off the lights and left her office, locking the door behind her, one thought settled in her mind:

Willow Creek had better be ready for Keilani Germora.

Chapter Two - The Small Town

The morning sun was barely over the horizon when Keilani started her drive to Willow Creek. The long stretch of road was punctuated by pockets of forests and farmlands, an unchanging landscape that would have put her to sleep if it weren’t for her heightened senses and years of training.

After several hours, Keilani saw the green road sign: Welcome to Willow Creek. For a town hiding such dark secrets, it looked disappointingly normal—single-story houses with manicured lawns, kids riding bikes, and a small marketplace boasting organic produce and local crafts.

But Keilani wasn't fooled by the