A Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Series

An inheritance worth millions. A killer with a list… and Smiley's on it.   Blind PI Steve Smiley unexpectedly becomes the executor of a large Texas estate after the rancher dies under suspicious circumstances. His task becomes even more complex when the ranch's foreman is found murdered. As Smiley delves into his executor duties, he realizes there is no shortage of suspects in the dysfunctional family. Any one of the four siblings could be responsible for one or both of the deaths. But which one wanted the land bad enough to kill for it? Or was it a conspiracy? Hired by the foreman's family to find his killer, Smiley's investigation unearths a long-buried family secret that could solve the mystery, but will it lead to more bloodshed? If Steve doesn't stop the killer, the next funeral could be his.   Escape to South Texas with Smiley and McBlythe as they seek to untangle the web of intrigue, mystery and murder surrounding the last undeveloped lakefront property in the state.   Smiley and McBlythe deliver a page-turning mystery that will keep you up way past your bedtime, all with no graphic violence, sex or foul language.

He thought his detecting days were over—until murder surfaced. When Steve Smiley's friend is found dead at the bottom of his exercise pool, police quickly rule it an accident. But something doesn't add up, and Smiley's instincts are screaming murder. There are a lot of things a blind man can do, but solve a murder alone isn't one of them. He needs a partner… one who knows their way around a crime scene. Enter Heather McBlythe, a rookie homicide detective with more enthusiasm than experience. Smiley isn't convinced she has what it takes, but he has no choice—he has to trust her. Armed with his years of experience as a homicide detective and his unlikely new partner at his side, Smiley meticulously pieces together the clues others overlooked. He knows he's on the right trail when a bullet whizzes past his ear. This investigation will either resurrect his life as a master crime solver or become his final case.   Exercise Is Murder is the captivating prequel to the beloved Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Series. Perfect for fans of classic whodunits in the tradition of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot, this clean mystery delivers intelligent sleuthing, clever deduction, and satisfying twists without graphic content or language. Discover how this remarkable detective partnership began and lose yourself in the case that brought them together.  

'Tis the season for miracles... and murder.  A rifle crack shatters the holiday bustle. Christmas shoppers scatter as a renowned big-game hunter drops to the sidewalk. Blind detective Steve Smiley and his partner rush to rescue the teen—the man's adopted daughter—who had been locked in a heated argument with him moments before. The teen's first plea is not to find the killer, but to find her birth parents. What begins as a straightforward adoption search spirals into something far deadlier when Smiley discovers the hunter's murder is inexorably linked to the teen's mysterious past. With suspects multiplying faster than mall Santas—from bitter ex-wives to vengeful conservationists—Smiley must navigate a labyrinth of family secrets and old betrayals. As the twelve days tick down to Christmas, he races to find a killer, unwrap the truth and give a teenage girl her Christmas miracle. Join blind detective Steve Smiley as he races against the twelve days of Christmas to solve a murder that's anything but festive in Jingle Bells, Rifle Shells by Bruce Hammack. With multiple suspects, hidden motives, and a teenage girl's future hanging in the balance, this clean mystery delivers all the suspense without the graphic content. Perfect for Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot fans.

Steve isn't celebrating Christmas… he's trying to survive it. For blind PI Steve Smiley, Christmas means painful memories, not celebration. When his partner scores them a teaching gig at a Miami mystery writers' conference, the early December getaway seems like the perfect escape. Until it turns into a tidal wave of mysteries to solve. The conference is a battlefield, with rival factions of writers locked in a vicious power struggle. When the organization's president-elect goes missing, Steve and Heather agree to investigate, but before they can crack the case, someone turns up dead. With a thousand mystery writers watching, Steve races to unmask a killer before the next deadly move. This Christmas, he's not worried about being alone… he just wants to survive it. Solve a Christmas murder in Miami with PISTOLS AND POINSETTIAS by Bruce Hammack, Book 2 in the Smiley and McBlythe Mystery Series. This clean holiday whodunit delivers clever puzzles without gore or sexual content. Perfect for classic mystery fans.  

One recluse millionaire. One murder… so far.   Life between cases is downright boring for blind PI Steve Smiley. When an insurance investigator looking for a missing millionaire is convinced the man is alive, Smiley doesn't hesitate to join the hunt.   With no murder weapon and no body, Smiley suspects the man faked his own death. But the trail of multiple passports turns cold… until a body is found in a burned-out Texas truck. Dental records confirm it's the missing man. A bullet in his back confirms he was murdered. But why would someone want to kill a video game developer?   Then the killer takes a shot at the man's widow. With both her life and Steve's reputation on the line, can he stop the killer before he strikes again? Or will this be the one game Steve loses?    Smiley and McBlythe mysteries never contain any graphic violence, sex or foul language. Just great whodunits to get the 'little grey cells' working!

Nothing takes a detective's mind off Christmas like a murder. An oil baron embroiled in a generations-long family feud is convinced he'll be murdered soon. When blind PI Steve Smiley is hired to investigate the threat, it seems like the perfect excuse to avoid another lonely Christmas. Then a body is discovered in the tycoon's home, but the baron's still alive. Now he's certain someone's picking off his family one by one, saving him for last. With time running out and both sides of the feud closing ranks against outsiders, Smiley must navigate generations of buried secrets and lies that swirl around him like snowflakes. Steve races to unmask a killer whose roots run as deep as oil wells. In this deadly game of family revenge, even a brilliant detective might not survive until Christmas morning. Get ready for murder and mystery this holiday season! MISTLETOE, MALICE AND MURDER, a Smiley and McBlythe mystery by Bruce Hammack, delivers a traditional private detective puzzle with all the twists of classic whodunits. A clean read with no gore or sexual content—perfect for fans of golden age mysteries.  

Liars at every turn… but which one is the killer? It's up to the blind detective to find out.   When blind PI Steve Smiley accompanies his nervous partner to the optometry office for her first eye exam, screams coming from the exam room aren't exactly reassuring. Turns out the drops used to dilate the patient's eyes were tainted, and just like that, Smiley and McBlythe have their next case. But who has motive to sabotage the doctor's practice?   Before the duo can solve the case, a body is found in the office of the doctor's ex-wife, also an optometrist. In spite of multiple claims of innocence, Smiley knows something's not right with the two doctors and their employees. One after another, the lies stack up.   Then McBlythe is called out of town on an emergency, leaving Smiley on his own to solve both cases. Can he discern the truth without her, or will a liar get away with murder?   Smiley and McBlythe deliver a great mystery with no foul language, sex or graphic violence… You won't be able to put it down until you've solved 'whodunit'!

A detective's perfect vacation: sun, sand, surf… and murder.   When blind PI Steve Smiley visits his friend and writing mentor, Kate Bridges, he anticipates an idyllic South Padre Island getaway. The island's magic spell is shattered when Kate is accosted by her abusive ex-husband. Two days later, his body is found in the dunes, and she becomes the prime suspect.   As the authorities rush to put a final stamp on the case by arresting Kate, Steve sets out to find the real killer. His search takes him deep into a dark underworld of crooked cops and Mexican cartels where there are no rules.   In a desperate attempt to prove Kate's innocence, Steve lays a trap for the murderer. Can he outwit the devious opponent, or will the next blood spilled in the sand be his?   Escape to South Padre Island, Texas in this Smiley and McBlythe whodunit. And rest easy, there's no graphic violence, swearing or sex!

Three families. Two murders. One blind PI. Has he finally met his match?   Blind PI Steve Smiley's former homicide partner is in trouble. If Leo can't solve an eighty-year-old cold case murder, he'll be put out to pasture before his time.  When Smiley offers to help out his old partner, what he finds is a generations-long feud between three families. With no love lost between any of them, Smiley's field of suspects grows and Leo's future looks bleak.   Before Smiley can help his friend solve the cold case, the feuding families are rocked by another murder. Is history repeating itself? Are the two killings connected? With a real live killer on the loose, can Smiley connect the dots and solve the cases, or will another murder be relegated to the cold case files?   Smiley and McBlythe deliver a page-turning mystery with no foul language, sex scenes or graphic violence. Get your copy today to find out whodunit!

An island paradise… and a killer on the loose.   Paradise turns deadly when blind detective Steve Smiley arrives at a Caribbean resort for his friend's destination wedding. The pristine beaches and gentle waves promise relaxation—until the prospective buyer of the family property is found murdered.   When a terrified guest begs for his help, claiming she's being framed, Smiley's vacation becomes an investigation. Each suspect has their own designs on this slice of paradise with its untouched barrier reef—and perhaps each had a motive for murder.   As the clock ticks toward the ceremony, Smiley must navigate a labyrinth of lies, jealousy, and greed. He dives in headfirst to find the killer before the body count rises and the bride's dream wedding becomes her worst nightmare.   Join Smiley and his partner, McBlythe, on this case where paradise holds secrets as dark as the depths beyond the reef. With no graphic violence, sex or foul language to hinder the twists and turns in this classic whodunit, you'll be turning the pages long past your bedtime!  

It was the perfect murder… until the truth refused to stay buried.   With no active murder case to solve, private investigator Steve Smiley is enjoying a week of peace and quiet. Meanwhile, his partner is preoccupied with her latest real estate project. However, their tranquility is short-lived when a dead body is unearthed at the construction site.   Suspicion falls on a young construction worker and brings the project to a standstill. When the boy's lawyer hires them to prove his innocence, Smiley must navigate the complicated dynamics of high school friendships and broken relationships.   Tight-knit loyalty and deception among the teenagers challenge Smiley's investigative skills. He'll have to dig deep to uncover the truth and set an innocent young man free while stopping a killer from getting away with murder.   Smiley and McBlythe deliver a page-turning mystery that will keep you up way past your bedtime, all with no graphic violence, sex or foul language.  

Palms swaying, tensions rising... and a killer among them.   Blind private investigator Steve Smiley is pulled into another case when his partner's father suspects an employee has been selling company secrets and hires Smiley to sniff out the mole. But after an employee is left beaten and comatose, it becomes clear there's more at stake than just corporate sabotage.   To smoke out the culprit, Smiley and his partner hatch an elaborate plan - gather the suspects on a private Caribbean island under the guise of an elite leadership retreat. But when the assault victim suddenly dies, they realize a cold-blooded killer lurks among the participants.   As the weeklong leadership gauntlet of grueling mental and physical challenges ramps up, nerves fray and resentments boil over. The stakes escalate when two of the suspects are targeted by an unidentified assailant. Now it's a race for Smiley to solve the mysteries and unmask a killer before more blood is spilled on the sand.   Ride along with two of the best detectives in town as Smiley and McBlythe dive into their latest case of intrigue, theft and murder in A Killer On Christmas Cay. This suspense-filled whodunit mystery will keep you turning the pages, with no graphic violence, foul language or sex scenes.

Tinsel, treachery and toxins… the perfect Christmas cocktail. Acclaimed for success in a career where sight is considered essential for detection, blind private investigator Steve Smiley has always relied on his extraordinarily heightened senses and razor-sharp intellect. His sighted business partner is usually at hand to offer her penetrating insights, but when she becomes consumed with a high-stakes real estate development, Smiley finds himself at loose ends – until fate pairs him with an unlikely ally: a washout from the police K9 program. In their first case together, what appears to be a simple matter of proving a pharmacist's innocence in a poisoning death quickly unravels into something far more sinister. Every conversation reveals another suspect, every clue points to another motive, and in the shadows, someone is watching their investigation with growing concern. When an act of arson sends his partner to the hospital, Smiley realizes he's stumbled onto something bigger than a single murder.  With time running out and lives at stake, Smiley must rely on his keen powers of observation and his uniquely gifted canine partner to expose a truth that others have gone to violent lengths to conceal.   Hemlock And Homicide has a sleigh full of surprises for detectives Smiley and McBlythe. Ride along as they deal with Smiley's nemesis while solving two seemingly unrelated murders—all before Christmas! With no graphic violence, sex scenes or foul language, the Smiley And McBlythe Mysteries are perfect for classic mystery lovers.   

A blind detective. A mysterious drowning. A tangled web of secrets. When the body of an oil magnate's son is found in the reflecting pool at a famous Texas monument, the police are quick to call it an accident or suicide. But blind former homicide detective Steve Smiley senses something more sinister at play. Despite his blindness, Smiley hasn't lost his investigative instincts. As he delves into the case, he uncovers a dangerous web of deception where political rivalries, environmental activists, and family secrets collide. Navigating a world of darkness to illuminate the truth, Smiley races against time to solve the murder before tensions escalate and more lives are lost. But as he closes in on the killer, he discovers that the most dangerous threats often hide in plain sight—and the motives for murder are as old as time itself: love and money. Using his heightened senses and razor-sharp deduction skills, blind detective Steve Smiley proves that true acumen doesn't require eyesight. This page-turning whodunit will keep you guessing until the final revelation, with clever clues scattered throughout for armchair detectives to discover alongside our protagonist. Perfect for mystery lovers who appreciate clean fiction—no foul language, graphic violence, or explicit content—just a well-crafted detective story in the classic tradition.  

A blind detective. A masked killer. One deadly Christmas. Blind private investigator Steve Smiley is looking forward to a quiet Christmas when Branson music entertainer Candy Caine comes to him with an unusual problem: someone claiming to be Krampus—the demonic folklore figure who punishes the wicked—is demanding money. At first, she dismissed the threatening letters as a sick joke. But the demands have escalated, and now Krampus promises she'll pay for her sin of greed in blood. When Candy is locked in her dressing room and smoke begins pouring under the door, the message becomes horrifyingly clear: pay up, or die. With his loyal guide dog at his side and his sharp-witted team backing him up, Smiley must navigate a maze of an ambitious understudy, dysfunctional family members, and a ring of drug lords to expose the killer hiding behind the horned monster. But with Christmas drawing closer and the killer growing bolder, Smiley must unmask the monster behind the myth—before Candy Caine's final curtain call. Grab your copy of Tinsel, Trees And Treachery today—the latest private detective mystery in Bruce Hammack's beloved Smiley and McBlythe series! Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie-style whodunits who love clever plots without the gore, violence, or explicit scenes. This is mystery entertainment the whole family can enjoy—from your teenager to your grandma!